Air Fryer Tomato Melt is a twist on a classic grilled cheese sandwich but with the added tangy sweetness of juicy tomato slices, gooey cheese, and the perfectly crispy crunch from the air fryer.
The air fryer tomato melt is a perfect meal for anyone looking for a healthy, delicious, and easy-to-prepare dish. It's an excellent source of nutrients, budget-friendly, and versatile. The recipe is straightforward and can be customized to your liking.
I love how grilled tomato cheese in the air fryer makes cooking it up a breeze with minimal cleanup. Plus, the possibilities for customization are endless. I adore creating new cheesy, gooey, and crispy grilled sandwiches in the air fryer by experimenting with different toppings, cheeses, and bread. Some of my favorites are Air Fryer Onion Melt, Air Fryer Grilled Caprese, and Air Fryer Tuna Melt.
How to Make Tomato Grilled Cheese Melt in the Air Fryer
Gather the ingredients. You'll need a ripe tomato, a few slices of whole-grain bread, some mozzarella cheese, and a pinch of Italian seasoning or basil.
Slice the tomatoes into thin pieces (about 2-3 mm thick) and season them lightly with salt and pepper. Meanwhile, place the slices of bread on a cutting board and spread a thin layer of mayo (you can use mustard or pesto instead), and add a layer of mozzarella cheese on top, followed by another layer of cheese. I chose a slice of Provolone. After that, add the tomatoes on top of the cheese, sprinkle some basil or Italian seasoning, and place the sandwich into the air fryer.
Set your air fryer to 375°F and cook the sandwich for about five to six minutes, until the cheese is bubbly, the bread is crispy and the tomatoes are gorgeously caramelized and softened. You do not need to flip this sandwich halfway through. If you like your bread toasty, you can spread butter on the outside of the bread before placing it in the air fryer. The result is a delicious and healthy sandwich that is ready in under ten minutes!
Is Tomato Grilled Cheese Healthy?
One of the many benefits of the air fryer tomato melt is that it is an excellent source of vitamins and minerals. Tomatoes are loaded with antioxidants. Mozzarella cheese is a great source of calcium, which is crucial for strong and healthy bones. Whole-grain bread is also healthier than traditional white bread, as it contains more fiber and other nutrients.
Another advantage of making the air fryer tomato melt is that it is a budget-friendly option for anyone looking to save money. All the ingredients can be purchased at your local grocery store, and you can even substitute the mozzarella cheese for another type of cheese.
Variation
Air fryer tomato melt is a versatile dish that can be customized to suit your tastes. You can add different types of cheese, vegetables, or meat to the recipe to create a unique flavor.
Please feel free to switch the bread to a different type. My favorite kind is rye, Sourdough, and wheat. If you’re making the grilled cheese using white bread, I suggest checking on the sandwich a few times during cooking, because white bread tends to brown and burn quicker than its wheat counterpart.
Instead of mayo, you can spread the Pesto or Dijon mustard on top of your bread.
For a low-carb version, you can make a Fathead pizza crust.
Leftovers
Well, well, well, isn't it the age-old question of what to do with a leftover grilled cheese sandwich? Lol. But let's face it, we've all been there. You had been craving that melty, gooey goodness, but somehow overestimated your appetite and now you're stuck with a cold, lifeless sandwich.
Fear not, my friend, there are options beyond simply tossing it in the garbage. You can chop it up and throw it into a soup for some added crunch and flavor, freeze it for later, and then reheat it in the air fryer with some tomato sauce and mozzarella for a makeshift pizza. The possibilities are endless, just like your love for grilled cheese.
More Grilled Cheesy Goodness
Air Fryer Tomato Melt
Equipment
Ingredients
- 2 pieces Bread I used wheat multigrain bread
- 6 slices tomato Approx 2-3 mm thick. I used Campari tomatoes.
- 1 tablespoon Mayo Use mustard or Pesto instead
- 2 Tablespoons Shredded Mozzarella
- 2 slices Provolone cheese Use any cheese of your choice
- ½ teaspoon Salt and pepper to taste salt and pepper, to taste
- 1 teaspoon Seasoning I used Italian seasonin
Instructions
- Slice the tomatoes into thin pieces and season them lightly with salt and pepper. Meanwhile, place the slices of bread on a cutting board and spread a thin layer of mayo (you can use mustard or pesto instead), and add a layer of mozzarella cheese on top, followed by another layer of cheese. I chose a slice of Provolone. After that, add the tomatoes on top of the cheese, sprinkle some basil or Italian seasoning, and place the sandwich into the preheated air fryer.
- Set your air fryer to 375°F and cook the sandwich for about five to six minutes, until the cheese is bubbly, the bread is crispy and the tomatoes are gorgeously caramelized and softened. You do not need to flip this sandwich halfway through. If you like your bread toasty, you can spread butter on the outside of the bread before placing it in the air fryer. The result is a delicious and healthy sandwich that is ready in under ten minutes!
Sandra Duffy
Just the recipe I needed! As a child (many decades ago) my favorite school lunch was an open-face tomato and cheese sandwich. I've been craving one, but never wanted to go through the bother of broiling. Enter my new air fryer! While I was prepping the sandwich, I threw a piece of bacon in the air fryer until crisp, then added it on top of the tomato, cheese slice and seasonings and topped it with shredded mozzarella. Five minutes to Nirvana!!
Irina
Yay! I'm so glad. I love this sandwich too, it is so cheesy, juicy and refreshing. Great idea for adding bacon. The taste is divine.
PATRICIA
I can remember MANY years ago when Pizza was first around and I couldn't afford them for my kids. I bought a baguette, sliced down the middle herbs and sliced tomatoes, little pieces of onion and cheese and sliced pepper if I had one. They are so crispy and yummy. Had some yesterday.
Jeanette
New to air fryers. I see that the temp should be 375, but which cook setting? Air fry? Bake? Just not familiar with it yet...
Irina
Air fry setting (or air crisp)